Organic light-emitting diode display and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the display includes a lower substrate with a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, an upper substrate facing the lower substrate and a display unit disposed on the display area. The display also includes a sealant disposed on the peripheral area and sealing the lower and upper substrates and a first metal layer interposed between the lower substrate and the sealant. The first metal layer includes a plurality of first through-portions extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. The display also includes a second metal layer disposed on the first metal layer and comprising a plurality of second through-portions respectively corresponding to the first through-portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0099222, filed on Jul. 13, 2015, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

The described technology generally relates to an organic light-emittingdiode display and a method of manufacturing the same.

Description of the Related Technology

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays are spotlighted asnext-generation displays because of their favorable characteristics suchas wide viewing angles, high contrast ratio, and rapid refresh rates.

In general, an OLED display has a matrix of pixel circuits that includethin-film transistors (TFTs) and OLEDs and are formed on a substrate.OLED technology is used for small devices such as mobile phones andlarger devices such as TVs.

An OLED display includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate, and aninterposed display unit. The lower and upper substrates are caused to beadhered to each other with a sealant that is formed along an outer edgeof the display unit, and thus, the display unit is sealed fromenvironmental contamination.

Due to recent market-driven trends for a larger and higher definitionscreen, attempts are being made to reduce dead (non-light-emitting)space that is formed around the display unit.

Information disclosed in this Background section was already known tothe inventors before achieving the described technology or is technicalinformation acquired in the process of achieving the describedtechnology. Therefore, it may contain information that does notconstitute the prior art that is already known to the public in thiscountry.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

One inventive aspect relates to an OLED display having a structure thatcan rapidly dissipate static electricity and a method of manufacturingthe OLED display.

Another aspect is an OLED display that can prevent damage to a displaycircuit unit and poor adhesion between a lower substrate and a sealingmember and a method of manufacturing the OLED display.

Another aspect is an OLED display that includes: a lower substrateincluding a display area and a peripheral area that surrounds thedisplay area; an upper substrate facing the lower substrate; a displayunit disposed on the display area of the lower substrate; a sealingmember disposed on the peripheral area of the lower substrate andadhering the lower substrate and the upper substrate to each other; afirst metal layer disposed between the lower substrate and the sealingmember and including a plurality of first through-portions that extendin a first direction and are arranged in a second direction that isperpendicular to the first direction; a second metal layer disposed onthe first metal layer and including a plurality of secondthrough-portions that have sizes equal to or greater than sizes of theplurality of first through-portions; and connecting portionselectrically connecting the first metal layer and the second metal layerto each other.

The OLED display may further include a barrier layer disposed betweenthe lower substrate and the first metal layer, wherein an openingportion on which at least a part of the lower substrate or the barrierlayer is exposed through the plurality of first through-portions and theplurality of second through-portions is formed.

The OLED display may further include a first insulating film disposedbetween the first metal layer and the second metal layer, wherein thefirst insulating film covers a part of the opening portion and includesa plurality of first fine holes formed in the opening portion.

At least a part of the lower substrate or the barrier layer may beexposed through the plurality of first fine holes.

A sealing member may be filled in the plurality of first fine holes.

The OLED display may further include a second insulating film disposedon the second metal layer, wherein the second insulating film covers apart of the opening portion and includes a plurality of second fineholes formed in the opening portion.

At least a part of the lower substrate or the barrier layer may beexposed through the plurality of second fine holes.

A sealing member may be filled in the plurality of second fine holes.

The plurality of second fine holes may be formed to correspond inposition to the plurality of first fine holes.

The second metal layer and the connecting portions may include the samematerial.

The first metal layer may have an electric resistance that is greaterthan an electric resistance of the second metal layer.

The plurality of first through-portions and the plurality of secondthrough-portions may be formed to have stripe shapes with long sides andshort sides and extend in the first direction.

The plurality of first through-portions and the plurality of secondthrough-portions may be alternately formed in the first direction andthe second direction.

The connecting portions may be formed along first edge portions thatextend in the second direction along an edge of the lower substrate andalong second edge portions that extend in the second direction from thedisplay unit.

The connecting portions may be formed between the plurality of firstthrough-portions and the plurality of second through-portions.

The connecting portions may be formed between opening portions.

The display unit may include a thin-film transistor (TFT) including asemiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drainelectrode, wherein the first metal layer is disposed on the same layeras the gate electrode, and the second metal layer is disposed on thesame layer as the source electrode and the drain electrode.

Another aspect is a method of manufacturing an OLED display thatincludes: preparing a lower substrate including a display area and aperipheral area that surrounds the display area; forming a display uniton the display area of the lower substrate; forming, on the peripheralarea of the lower substrate, a first metal layer including a pluralityof first through-portions that extend in a first direction; forming, onthe first metal layer, a first insulating film including a plurality ofconnection holes; forming, on the first insulating film, a second metallayer including a plurality of second through-portions that have sizesequal to or greater than sizes of the plurality of firstthrough-portions; and placing the upper substrate on the lowersubstrate, forming a sealing member on the peripheral area of the lowersubstrate, and adhering the lower substrate and the upper substrate,wherein the forming of the second metal layer on the first insulatingfilm includes filling a part of the second metal layer in the pluralityof connection holes that are formed in the first insulating film andelectrically connecting the first metal layer and the second metallayer.

The first insulating film may cover an opening portion of the lowersubstrate that is exposed through the plurality of firstthrough-portions and the plurality of second through-portions, wherein aplurality of first fine holes are formed in the first insulating film onthe opening portion.

The method may further include forming a second insulating film thatcovers the second metal layer, wherein the second insulating film coversan opening portion of the lower substrate that is exposed through theplurality of first through-portions and the plurality of secondthrough-portions, wherein a plurality of second fine holes are formed inthe second insulating film on the opening portion.

Another aspect is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display,comprising: a lower substrate comprising a display area and a peripheralarea surrounding the display area; an upper substrate facing the lowersubstrate; a display unit disposed on the display area; a sealantdisposed on the peripheral area and sealing the lower and uppersubstrates; a first metal layer interposed between the lower substrateand the sealant, wherein the first metal layer comprises a plurality offirst through-portions extending in a first direction and arranged in asecond direction crossing the first direction; a second metal layerdisposed on the first metal layer and comprising a plurality of secondthrough-portions respectively corresponding to the firstthrough-portions, wherein each of the second through-portions has a sizeequal to or greater than the size of the respective firstthrough-portion; and a plurality of connectors configured toelectrically connect the first and second metal layers.

The above OLED display further comprises a barrier layer interposedbetween the lower substrate and the first metal layer, wherein the lowersubstrate or the barrier layer has an opening portion connected to thesealant through the first and second through-portions.

The above OLED display further comprises a first insulating filminterposed between the first and second metal layers, wherein the firstinsulating film at least partially covers the opening portion and has aplurality of first fine holes formed in the opening portion.

In the above OLED display, at least a portion of the lower substrate orthe barrier layer is connected to the sealant through the first fineholes.

In the above OLED display, the sealant is formed in the first fineholes.

The above OLED display further comprises a second insulating filmdisposed on the second metal layer, wherein the second insulating filmat least partially covers the opening portion and has a plurality ofsecond fine holes formed in the opening portion.

In the above OLED display, at least a portion of the lower substrate orthe barrier layer is connected to the sealant through the second fineholes.

In the above OLED display, the sealant is formed in the second fineholes.

In the above OLED display, the second fine holes overlap the first fineholes in the depth dimension of the OLED display.

In the above OLED display, the second metal layer and the connectors areformed of the same material.

In the above OLED display, the first metal layer has an electricresistance that is greater than an electric resistance of the secondmetal layer.

In the above OLED display, the first and second through-portions havestripe shapes with a first side and a second side shorter than the firstside, wherein the first and second through-portions extend in the firstdirection.

In the above OLED display, the first and second through-portions arealternately formed in the first direction and the second direction.

In the above OLED display, the lower substrate has a first edge and asecond edge opposing the first edge, wherein each of the first andsecond metal layers has a first edge portion extending in the seconddirection along the first edge of the lower substrate, wherein each ofthe first and second metal layers has a second edge portion extending inthe second direction along the second edge of the lower substrate, andwherein the connectors are formed along the first and second edgeportion of the first and second metal layers.

In the above OLED display, the connectors are formed between the firstand second through-portions.

In the above OLED display, the opening portion includes a plurality ofopening portions, wherein the connectors are formed between the openingportions.

In the above OLED display, the display unit comprises a plurality ofthin-film transistors (TFTs) each including a semiconductor layer, agate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, wherein thefirst metal layer is disposed on the same layer as the gate electrode,and wherein the second metal layer is disposed on the same layer as thesource and drain electrodes.

Another aspect is a method of manufacturing an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED) display, the method comprising: preparing a lower substratecomprising a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the displayarea; forming a display unit on the display area; forming, on theperipheral area, a first metal layer comprising a plurality of firstthrough-portions extending in a first direction; forming, on the firstmetal layer, a first insulating film comprising a plurality ofconnection holes; forming, on the first insulating film, a second metallayer comprising a plurality of second through-portions each having asize equal to or greater than the size of the corresponding firstthrough-portion; placing the upper substrate on the lower substrate;forming a sealant on the peripheral area; and sealing the lower andupper substrates, wherein the forming of the second metal layercomprises filling the connection holes with a portion of the secondmetal layer so as to electrically connect the first and second metallayers.

The method of claim 18, wherein the lower substrate has an openingportion, wherein the first insulating film at least partially covers theopening portion through the first and second through-portions, andwherein a plurality of first fine holes are formed in the openingportion.

The above method further comprises forming a second insulating filmcovering the second metal layer, wherein the second insulating film hasan opening portion, wherein the second insulating film at leastpartially covers the opening portion through the first and secondthrough-portions, and wherein a plurality of second fine holes areformed in the opening portion.

The general and specific aspects may be implemented by using a system, amethod, a computer program, or any combination of systems, methods, andcomputer programs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an OLED display according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the OLEDdisplay of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of the pixelunit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a region IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the region IV of FIG. 2 according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the region IV of FIG. 2 according toanother exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

The described technology may include various embodiments andmodifications, and exemplary embodiments thereof will be illustrated inthe drawings and will be described herein in detail. The effects andfeatures of the described technology and the accompanying methodsthereof will become apparent from the following description of theembodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.However, the inventive concept is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed below, and may be embodied in various modes.

It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These elements are only used todistinguish one element from another. As used herein, the singular forms“a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” used hereinspecify the presence of stated features or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features orcomponents.

Sizes of elements may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation. Inother words, since sizes and thicknesses of elements in the drawings arearbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, the followingexemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. When a certain embodimentmay be implemented differently, a specific process order may beperformed differently from the described order. For example, twoconsecutively described processes may be performed substantially at thesame time or performed in an order opposite to the described order.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings,the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and arepeated explanation thereof will not be given.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. Inthis disclosure, the term “substantially” includes the meanings ofcompletely, almost completely or to any significant degree under someapplications and in accordance with those skilled in the art. Moreover,“formed, disposed or positioned over” can also mean “formed, disposed orpositioned on.” The term “connected” includes an electrical connection.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an OLED display 10 according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineII-II of the OLED display of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the OLED display 10 according to anexemplary embodiment includes a lower substrate 100, a display unit 200that is disposed on the lower substrate 100, a sealing member (orsealant) 400, and an upper substrate 500 that is adhered to the lowersubstrate 100 by using the sealing member 400.

The lower substrate 100 may be formed of any of various materials suchas a glass material, a metal material, or a plastic material (e.g.,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), orpolyimide). The lower substrate 100 may include a display area DA onwhich the display unit 200 including a plurality of pixels is disposedand a peripheral area PA that surrounds the display area DA.

The upper substrate 500 may be formed of any of various materials suchas a glass material, a metal material, or a plastic material (e.g., PET,PEN, or polyimide), like the lower substrate 100. The lower substrate100 and the upper substrate 500 may be formed of the same material ordifferent materials.

The sealing member 400 may be disposed between the lower substrate 100and the upper substrate 500. The sealing member 400 may be disposed onthe peripheral area PA of the lower substrate 100, and may seal theupper substrate 500 and the lower substrate 100 by adhering the uppersubstrate 500 to the lower substrate 100. For example, the sealingmember 400 includes, but is not limited to, frit or epoxy.

The display unit 200 may be disposed on the display area DA of the lowersubstrate 100 and may include the pixels. For example, the display unit200 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an OLED display unit includinga plurality of thin-film transistors (TFTs) and pixel electrodes thatare connected to the TFTs. The present exemplary embodiment will beexplained on the assumption that the display unit 200 is an OLED displayunit. The structure of the display unit 200 will now be explained indetail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating a structure of a pixel unit PX of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display unit 200 includes a TFT, a capacitor(not shown), and an OLED 240 that is electrically connected to the TFT.The TFT may include a semiconductor layer 202 that is formed ofamorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, or an organic semiconductormaterial. The TFT also includes a gate electrode 204, a source electrode206 s, and a drain electrode 206 d.

In order to planarize a surface of the lower substrate 100 or to preventimpurities from penetrating into the semiconductor layer 202 of the TFT,a barrier layer 201 formed of silicon oxide or silicon nitride may bedisposed on the lower substrate 100 and the semiconductor layer 202 maybe disposed on the barrier layer 201.

The gate electrode 204 is disposed over the semiconductor layer 202. Thesource electrode 206 s and the drain electrode 206 d are electricallyconnected to each other according to a signal applied to the gateelectrode 204. By taking into account adhesion with an adjacent layer,surface flatness of a stacked layer, and processability, the gateelectrode layer 204 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layerstructure formed of at least one material selected from, for example,aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium(Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium(Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti),tungsten (W), and copper (Cu).

In this case, in order to ensure insulation between the semiconductorlayer 202 and the gate electrode 204, a gate insulating film 203 formedof silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride may be disposed between thesemiconductor layer 202 and the gate electrode 204.

Insulating films may be formed over the gate electrode 204 to have asingle-layer structure or a multi-layer structure formed of siliconoxide or silicon nitride. When the insulating films have a multi-layerstructure, the insulating films may include a first insulating film 205and a second insulating film 207.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, when the insulating films have amulti-layer structure, a conductive layer (not shown) that partiallyoverlaps the gate electrode 204 may be further provided over the gateelectrode 204 according to a structure of a backplane layer including aTFT.

The conductive layer may be formed between the first insulating film 205and the second insulating film 207. In this case, the first insulatingfilm 205 may function as an insulating film that insulates the gateelectrode 204 and the conductive layer from each other. A portion of theconductive layer that overlaps the gate electrode 204 may function as acapacitor. That is, the gate electrode 204 that is disposed under theconductive layer may be a lower electrode of the capacitor and theconductive layer that is disposed over the gate electrode 204 mayfunction as an upper electrode of the capacitor. In this case, the firstinsulating film 205 may function as a dielectric film.

When the conductive layer is not formed, a second metal layer 320 (seeFIG. 4) may be disposed only between the first insulating film 205 andthe second insulating film 207.

The source electrode 206 s and the drain electrode 206 d are disposed onthe first and second insulating films 205 and 207. The source electrode206 s and the drain electrode 206 d are electrically connected to thesemiconductor layer 202 through a contact hole that is formed in thefirst and second insulating films 205 and 207 and the gate insulatingfilm 203. By taking into account conductivity or the like, each of thesource electrode 206 s and the drain electrode 206 d may be formed tohave a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure formed of atleast one material selected from, for example, Al, Pt, Pd, Ag, Mg, Au,Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, Li, Ca, Mo, Ti, W, and Cu.

A third insulating film 208 may be disposed on the lower substrate 100.In this case, the third insulating film 208 may be a planarization film.When the OLED 240 is disposed over the TFT, the third insulating film208 may substantially planarize a top surface of the TFT and may protectthe TFT and various devices. The third insulating film 208 may be formedof, for example, an acrylic organic material or benzocyclobutene (BCB).In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the barrier layer 201, the gateinsulating film 203, and the first and second insulating films 205 and207 may be formed over the entire surface of the lower substrate 100.

A fourth insulating film 209 may be disposed over the TFT. In this case,the fourth insulating film 209 may be a pixel-defining film. The fourthinsulating film 209 may be disposed on the third insulating film 208,and may have an opening through which a central portion of a pixelelectrode 210 is exposed. The fourth insulating film 209 defines a pixelregion.

The fourth insulating film 209 may be, for example, an organicinsulating film. The organic insulating film may be formed of an acrylicpolymer such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), apolymer derivative having a phenol group, an imide-based polymer, anarylether-based polymer, an amide-based polymer, a fluorine-basedpolymer, a p-xylene-based polymer, a vinyl alcohol-based polymer, or acombination thereof.

The OLED 240 may be disposed on the third insulating film 208. The OLED240 may include the pixel electrode 210, an intermediate layer 220including an emission layer EML, and a counter electrode 230.

The pixel electrode 210 may be a (semi)transparent electrode or areflective electrode. When the pixel electrode 210 is a(semi)transparent electrode, the pixel electrode 210 may be formed of,for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide(ZnO), indium oxide (In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide (IGO), or aluminumzinc oxide (AZO). When the pixel electrode 210 is a reflectiveelectrode, the pixel electrode 210 may include a reflective film formedAg, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Jr, Cr, or a compound thereof and alayer formed of ITO, IZO, ZnO, In₂O₃, IGO, or AZO. However, thedescribed technology is not limited thereto, and the pixel electrode 210may be formed of any of various materials and may have any of variousstructures such as a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

The intermediate layer 220 may be disposed in the pixel region that isdefined by the fourth insulating film 209. The intermediate layer 220may include the emission layer EML that emits light in response to anelectrical signal, and may further include a hole injection layer (HIL)and a hole transport layer (HTL) that are disposed between the emissionlayer EML and the pixel electrode 210 and an electron transport layer(ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL) that are disposed betweenthe emission layer EML and the counter electrode 230 to have asingle-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. However, theintermediate layer 220 is not limited thereto, and may have any of othervarious structures.

The counter electrode 230 that covers the intermediate layer 220including the emission layer EML and faces the pixel electrode 210 maybe disposed over the entire surface of the lower substrate 100. Thecounter electrode 230 may be a (semi)transparent electrode or areflective electrode.

When the counter electrode 230 is a (semi)transparent electrode, thecounter electrode 230 may include a layer formed of a metal having a lowwork function such as Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, Al, Ag, Mg, or a compoundthereof and a (semi)transparent conductive layer including ITO, IZO,ZnO, or In₂O₃. When the counter electrode 230 is a reflective electrode,the counter electrode 230 may include a layer formed of Li, Ca, LiF/Ca,LiF/Al, Al, Ag, Mg, or a compound thereof. However, the configurationand the material of the counter electrode 230 are not limited thereto,and various modifications may be made.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view illustrating a region IV of FIG. 2.

For convenience of explanation, the sealing member 400 is not shown inFIG. 4. However, the sealing member 400 may be disposed over a structureof FIG. 4. The sealing member 400 may be formed on a sealing area SA.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first metal layer 310 is disposed on theperipheral area PA of the lower substrate 100, and is disposed betweenthe lower substrate 100 and the sealing member 400. The first metallayer 310 may include a plurality of first through-portions 310 a. Thefirst through-portions 310 a may extend in a first direction (e.g., anX-axis direction), as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the firstthrough-portions 310 a may be formed to have stripe shapes with longsides and short sides and to be parallel to one another in a seconddirection (e.g., a Y-axis direction).

A second metal layer 320 may be further disposed on the first metallayer 310, and may be disposed between the first metal layer 310 and thesealing member 400. The second metal layer 320 may include a pluralityof second through-portions 320 a. The second through-portions 320 a mayextend in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), like thefirst through-portions 310 a. Accordingly, the second through-portions320 a may also be formed to have stripe shapes with long sides and shortsides and to be parallel to one another in the second direction (aY-axis direction). The second through-portions 320 a may be formed tocorrespond in position to the first through-portions 310 a and to havesizes that are substantially equal to or greater than those of the firstthrough-portions 310 a. As such, the second metal layer 320 may beformed over the first metal layer 310.

An opening portion OA, on which at least a part of the lower substrate100 or the barrier layer 201 is exposed through the firstthrough-portions 310 a of the first metal layer 310 and the secondthrough-portions 320 a of the second layer 320, may be formed. Althoughthe opening portion OA exposes at least a part of the lower substrate100 in FIG. 4, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. That is,as described above, the opening portion OA may expose the barrier layer201 that is formed on the lower substrate 100.

The first insulating film 205 may be disposed between the first metallayer 310 and the second metal layer 320, and the second insulating film207 may be disposed between the second metal layer 320 and the sealingmember 400. The first insulating film 205 and the second insulating film207 may extend from the display area DA to the peripheral area PA, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, the second insulating film 207 is disposed on the secondmetal layer 320. The second insulating film 207 may be formed to cover apart of the opening portion OA. A plurality of fine holes 330 may beformed in the second insulating film 207 that is formed on the openingportion OA, and a part of the lower substrate 100 may be exposed throughthe plurality of fine holes 330.

The first metal layer 310 and the second metal layer 320 may beelectrically connected to each other by using a connecting portion (orconnector) 315. The connecting portion 315 may include the same materialas that of the second metal layer 320. A plurality of the connectingportions 315 may be formed along first edge portions 310 e_1 and 320 e_1that extend in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) alongan edge of the lower substrate 100 and along second edge portions 310e_2 and 320 e_2 that extend in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axisdirection) from the display unit 200, unlike the first edge portions 310e_1 and 320 e_1. The connecting portions 315 will be explained below indetail with reference to FIGS. 6 through 8.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the barrier layer 201 is formed on the lowersubstrate 100 and the gate insulating film 203 may be formed on thebarrier layer 201. The barrier layer 201 and the gate insulating film203 may extend from the display area DA to the peripheral area PA to beformed over the entire surface of the lower substrate 100.

The first metal layer 310 may be disposed on the gate insulating film203. The first metal layer 310 may include the first through-portions310 a for forming the opening portion OA. When the firstthrough-portions 310 a are formed in the first metal layer 310, parts ofthe barrier layer 201 and the gate insulating film 203 that are disposedunder the first metal layer 310 may be removed. In this process, thefirst through-portions 310 a of the first metal layer 310 may form theopening portion OA through which a part of the lower substrate 100 isexposed. A plurality of fine holes that are formed by the firstinsulating film 205 and the second insulating film 207 may be formed inthe opening portion OA. In this case, the fine holes 330 may include aplurality of first fine holes 330 a that are formed in the firstinsulating film 205 and a plurality of second fine holes 330 b that areformed in the second insulating film 207.

The first insulating film 205 may be disposed on the first metal layer310 to be formed over the entire surface of the lower substrate 100. Thefirst insulating film 205 may also be formed on the opening portion OAto cover at least a part of the opening portion OA. The first insulatingfilm 205 that is formed on the opening portion OA may include the firstfine holes 330 a. In the present exemplary embodiment, a part of thelower substrate 100 may be exposed through the first fine holes 330 a.According to another exemplary embodiment, a part of the barrier layer201 may be exposed.

Next, the second metal layer 320 may be disposed on the first insulatingfilm 205. The second metal layer 320 may include the secondthrough-holes 320 a. The second through-holes 320 a that are formed inthe second metal layer 320 may be formed to correspond in position tothe first through-portions 310 a that are formed in the first metallayer 310, and to have sizes that are substantially equal to or greaterthan those of the first through-portions 310 a. Accordingly, the openingportion OA, on which a part of the lower substrate 100 is exposedthrough the second through-portions 320 a, may be formed.

Also, the second insulating film 207 may be disposed on the second metallayer 320 to be formed over the entire surface of the lower substrate100. The second insulating film 207 may also be formed on the openingportion OA to cover at least a part of the opening portion OA. A portionof the second insulating film 207 that is formed on the opening portionOA may include the second fine holes 330 b. The second fine holes 330 bmay be formed to correspond in position to the first fine holes 330 a.Accordingly, a part of the lower substrate 100 may be exposed throughthe second fine holes 330 b, and a part of the barrier layer 201 may beexposed according to another exemplary embodiment.

The sealing member 400 may be filled in the first fine holes 330 a andthe second fine holes 330 b. A contact area between the sealing member400 and the lower substrate 100 may be increased due to the first fineholes 330 a and the second fine holes 330 b. For example, as the firstthrough-portions 310 a and the second through-portions 320 acontinuously extend, an area where the fine holes 300 may be formed maybe maximized, a contact area between the sealing member 400 and thelower substrate 100 may be maximized, and an adhesive force between thesealing member 400 and the lower substrate 100 may be greatly increased.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting a part of thesealing area SA to show cut-surfaces of the plurality of connectingportions 315 that are formed along the second edge portions 310 e_2 and320 e_2 on which the first through portions 310 a and the secondthrough-portions 320 are not formed.

Referring to FIG. 6, the barrier layer 201, the gate insulating film203, the first metal layer 310 that is formed on the gate insulatingfilm 203, the first insulating film 205, the second metal layer 320, andthe second insulating film 207 may be sequentially formed on the lowersubstrate 100 as described above.

A connection hole 205 a may be formed in the first insulating film 205that is disposed between the first metal layer 310 and the second metallayer 320, and the connecting portions 315 formed of the same materialas that of the second metal layer 320 may be formed in the connectionhole 205 a.

The connecting portions 315 are elements that electrically connect thefirst metal layer 310 to the second metal layer 320 as described above.In general, the first metal layer 310 may be disposed on the same layeras the gate electrode 204, and the second metal layer 320 may bedisposed on the same layer as the source electrode 206 s and the drainelectrode 206 d. That is, the first metal layer 310 may be formed whenthe gate electrode 204 is formed on the barrier layer 201 and the gateinsulating film 203, and the second metal layer 320 may be formed whenthe source electrode 206 s and the drain electrode 206 d are formed onthe barrier layer 201 and the gate insulating film 203. Also, the firstmetal layer 310 may be formed of the same material as that of the gateelectrode 204, and the second metal layer 320 may be formed of the samematerial as that of the source electrode 206 s and the drain electrode206 d.

Accordingly, the connecting portions 315 may be formed when the sameconductive material as that of the second metal layer 320 is filled inthe connection hole 205 a that is formed in the first insulating film205 to form the source electrode 206 s and the drain electrode 206 d onthe second insulating film 207, that is, to form the second metal layer320 on the first insulating film 205.

In general, when static electricity is introduced from the outside intothe OLED display and is accumulated on the first metal layer 310 that isdisposed on the peripheral area PA, poor adhesion between the lowersubstrate 100 and the sealing member 400 may occur or a circuit unitthat is connected to the second edge portions 310 e_2 and 320 e_2 may bedamaged. Furthermore, since the first metal layer 310 is formed of thesame material as that of the gate electrode 204 having an electricresistance that is greater than that of the second metal layer 320 thathas the same physical property as that of the source electrode 206 s orthe drain electrode 206 d, the accumulated static electricity may not beefficiently dissipated and electrostatic charges may be accumulated onthe first metal layer 310.

The second metal layer 320 may be formed of a material having anelectric resistance that is less than that of the first metal layer 310.For example, the first metal layer 310 includes a material having anelectric resistance that is about 10 times greater than that of thesecond metal layer 320. Accordingly, when the connecting portions 315that electrically connect the first metal layer 310 to the second metallayer 320 are provided, electrostatic charges accumulated on the firstmetal layer 310 may be efficiently dissipated through the second metallayer 320 and electrostatic charges that are introduced from the outsidemay be prevented from being introduced into the circuit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 4.

In FIG. 7, the connecting portions 315 are formed along the first edgeportions 310 e_1 and 320 e_1 and the second edge portions 310 e_2 and320 e_2.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the barrier layer 201 is formed on the lowersubstrate 100 and the gate insulating film 203 is formed on the barrierlayer 201. The barrier layer 201 and the gate insulating film 203 mayextend from the display area DA to the peripheral area PA to be formedover the entire surface of the lower substrate 100.

The first through-portions 310 a and the second through-portions 320 amay extend in the first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and maybe spaced apart from each other in the second direction (e.g., theY-axis direction). As such, the first metal layer 310 and the secondmetal layer 320 may be continuously arranged on an area where the firstthrough-portions 310 a and the second through-portions 320 a are spacedapart from each other.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken in the first direction (e.g., theX-axis direction) in which the first through-portions 310 a and thesecond through-portions 320 a are disposed. The first insulating film205 and the second insulating film 207 may be formed on the openingportion OA on which the first through-portions 310 a and the secondthrough-portions 320 a are formed. The first fine holes 330 a and thesecond fine holes 330 b may be respectively formed in the firstinsulating film 205 and the second insulating film 207 that are disposedon the opening portion OA. A part of the lower substrate 100 may beexposed through the first fine holes 330 a, the second fine holes 330 b,the first through-portions 310 a, and the second through-holes 320 a.

The first metal layer 310 may include the first edge portion 310 e_1that extends along an edge of the lower substrate 100 and the secondedge portion 310 e_2 that extends from the display unit 200. The secondmetal layer 320 that is formed on the first metal layer 310 may includethe first edge portion 320 e_1 that extends along the edge of the lowersubstrate 100 and the second edge portion 320 e_2 that extends from thedisplay unit 200, like the first meal layer 310.

The first edge portions 310 e_1 and 320 e_1 and the second edge portions310 e_2 and 320 e_2 of the first metal layer 310 and the second metallayer 320 may continuously extend in the second direction (e.g., theY-axis direction) that is perpendicular to (or crossing) the firstdirection (e.g., the X-axis direction) in which the firstthrough-portions 310 a and the second through-portions 320 a are formed.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, the first metal layer 310 and thesecond metal layer 320 may be disposed on the first edge portions 310e_1 and 320 e_1 and the second edge portions 310 e_2 and 320 e_2. Thefirst metal layer 310 and the second metal layer 320 that overlap thefirst edge portions 310 e_1 and 320 e_1 and the second edge portions 310e_2 and 320 e_2 may form a cap and may prevent static electricity frombeing introduced into the display unit 200. Also, the first metal layer310 and the second metal layer 320 that overlap the first edge portions310 e_1 and 320 e_1 and the second edge portions 310 e_2 and 320 e_2 mayform a protrusion having a predetermined height and may prevent thesealing member 400 from flowing to the outside of the sealing area SA.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the region IV of FIG. 2 according toanother exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of connecting portions (or connectors)1315 are formed along first edge portions 1310 e_1 and 1320 e_1 andsecond edge portions 1310 e_2 and 1320 e_2 as shown in FIG. 4, and arealso formed between first through-portions 1310 a and secondthrough-portions 1320 a.

FIG. 10 is a plan view the region IV of FIG. 2 according to anotherexemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, a plurality of connecting portions (or connectors)2315 may be formed along first edge portions 2310 e_1 and 2320 e_1 andsecond edge portions 2310 e_2 and 2320 e_2 as shown in FIG. 4, betweenfirst through-portions 2310 a and second through-portions 2320 a asshown in FIG. 9, and between the opening portions OA.

Even in this case, the first through-portions 2310 a and the secondthrough-portions 2320 a may be formed close to the opening portions OA,and a first metal layer 2310 and a second metal layer 2320 may be formedbetween the opening portions OA. That is, the connecting portions 2315may be formed both in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction)in which the first edge portions 2310 e_1 and 2320 e_1 and the secondedge portions 2310 e_2 and 2320 e_2 extend and in the first direction(e.g., the X-axis direction) that is substantially perpendicular to (orcrossing) the second direction.

FIGS. 9 and 10 exemplarily illustrate that the connecting portions 315,1315, and 2315 may be formed at any of various positions on theperipheral area PA of the OLED display. That is, the connecting portions315, 1315, and 2315 may be formed at any position as long as they mayelectrically connect the first metal layers 1310 and 2310 to the secondmetal layers 1320 and 2320 that have electrical resistances that areless than those of the first metal layers 1310 and 2310.

In this configuration, since electrostatic charges that are introducedfrom the outside may not be accumulated on the first metal layers 310,1310, and 2310 and may be respectively transmitted to the second metallayers 320, 1320, and 2320, local electrostatic charge concentration maybe avoided, poor adhesion between the lower substrate 100 and thesealing member 400 may be avoided, and electrostatic charges may beprevented from being introduced into the display unit 200.

According to at least one of the disclosed embodiments, an OLED displayand a method of manufacturing the same may prevent damage to a displayunit and poor adhesion between a lower substrate and a sealing member byrapidly dissipating static electricity that is introduced from theoutside.

It will be understood that the spirit and scope of the describedtechnology is not limited by these effects.

While the inventive technology has been described with reference to thefigures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display,comprising: a lower substrate comprising a display area and a peripheralarea surrounding the display area; an upper substrate facing the lowersubstrate; a display unit disposed on the display area; a sealantdisposed on the peripheral area and sealing the lower and uppersubstrates; a first metal layer interposed between the lower substrateand the sealant, wherein the first metal layer comprises a plurality offirst through-portions extending in a first direction and arranged in asecond direction crossing the first direction; a second metal layerdisposed on the first metal layer and comprising a plurality of secondthrough-portions respectively corresponding to the firstthrough-portions, wherein each of the second through-portions has a sizeequal to or greater than the size of the respective firstthrough-portion; and a plurality of connectors configured toelectrically connect the first and second metal layers.
 2. The OLEDdisplay of claim 1, further comprising a barrier layer interposedbetween the lower substrate and the first metal layer, wherein the lowersubstrate or the barrier layer has an opening portion connected to thesealant through the first and second through-portions.
 3. The OLEDdisplay of claim 2, further comprising a first insulating filminterposed between the first and second metal layers, wherein the firstinsulating film at least partially covers the opening portion and has aplurality of first fine holes formed in the opening portion.
 4. The OLEDdisplay of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the lower substrate orthe barrier layer is connected to the sealant through the first fineholes.
 5. The OLED display of claim 3, wherein the sealant is formed inthe first fine holes.
 6. The OLED display of claim 3, further comprisinga second insulating film disposed on the second metal layer, wherein thesecond insulating film at least partially covers the opening portion andhas a plurality of second fine holes formed in the opening portion. 7.The OLED display of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the lowersubstrate or the barrier layer is connected to the sealant through thesecond fine holes.
 8. The OLED display of claim 6, wherein the sealantis formed in the second fine holes.
 9. The OLED display of claim 6,wherein the second fine holes overlap the first fine holes in the depthdimension of the OLED display.
 10. The OLED display of claim 1, whereinthe second metal layer and the connectors are formed of the samematerial.
 11. The OLED display of claim 1, wherein the first metal layerhas an electric resistance that is greater than an electric resistanceof the second metal layer.
 12. The OLED display of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second through-portions have stripe shapes with a first sideand a second side shorter than the first side, and wherein the first andsecond through-portions extend in the first direction.
 13. The OLEDdisplay of claim 1, wherein the first and second through-portions arealternately formed in the first direction and the second direction. 14.The OLED display of claim 1, wherein the lower substrate has a firstedge and a second edge opposing the first edge, wherein each of thefirst and second metal layers has a first edge portion extending in thesecond direction along the first edge of the lower substrate, whereineach of the first and second metal layers has a second edge portionextending in the second direction along the second edge of the lowersubstrate, and wherein the connectors are formed along the first andsecond edge portion of the first and second metal layers.
 15. The OLEDdisplay of claim 14, wherein the connectors are formed between the firstand second through-portions.
 16. The OLED display of claim 14, whereinthe opening portion includes a plurality of opening portions, andwherein the connectors are formed between the opening portions.
 17. TheOLED display of claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises a pluralityof thin-film transistors (TFTs) each including a semiconductor layer, agate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, wherein thefirst metal layer is disposed on the same layer as the gate electrode,and wherein the second metal layer is disposed on the same layer as thesource and drain electrodes.
 18. A method of manufacturing an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED) display, the method comprising: preparing alower substrate comprising a display area and a peripheral areasurrounding the display area; forming a display unit on the displayarea; forming, on the peripheral area, a first metal layer comprising aplurality of first through-portions extending in a first direction;forming, on the first metal layer, a first insulating film comprising aplurality of connection holes; forming, on the first insulating film, asecond metal layer comprising a plurality of second through-portionseach having a size equal to or greater than the size of thecorresponding first through-portion; placing the upper substrate on thelower substrate; forming a sealant on the peripheral area; and sealingthe lower and upper substrates, wherein the forming of the second metallayer comprises filling the connection holes with a portion of thesecond metal layer so as to electrically connect the first and secondmetal layers.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the lower substratehas an opening portion, wherein the first insulating film at leastpartially covers the opening portion through the first and secondthrough-portions, and wherein a plurality of first fine holes are formedin the opening portion.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprisingforming a second insulating film covering the second metal layer,wherein the second insulating film has an opening portion, wherein thesecond insulating film at least partially covers the opening portionthrough the first and second through-portions, and wherein a pluralityof second fine holes are formed in the opening portion.